steviedeluxe

We're spoilt for choice in the UK, but not so much I fear in Spain. My first inclination is to vote for Parc Guell in Barcelona. What do others think?

cricketman

Nah, Parc Guell is way too crowded and full of tourists. You cant really do anything more than go round and admire the architecture.

Parc Ciutadella (in Barcelona) in that respect is much nicer, it is a working city park that tourists and locals alike can use. It's probably the nicest I've seen in Spain.

Although Parque San Franciso in Oviedo is nice but smaller and Parque Paloma in Benalmadena is actually very nice, especially for children with all the animals.

What about El Retiro en Madrid? I've never been, but it has good rep. And I remember Parque de los Molinos being nice in a natural way, rather than spectacular. Madrid has some nice parks, nothing like London of course, but not too bad considering.

Madridboy

El Retiro in Madrid.

paintermujer

Im gonna have to say the dried up riverbed in Valencia.

tim1963

The river park, Valencia.

Sam Greenfield

Would love to go n visit the dried river beds in Valencia - they look so interesting - must make sure we get there the next time we are that way on xxx

big wheels

El Retiro in Madrid.

Buy some popcorn from one of the Quioscos and feed the carp in the lake, they are virtually tame and will take it from your hand.

steviedeluxe

It's fine for a stroll I suppose. Here's an article promoting Madrid parks (in spanish)

http://www.madridiario.es/2010/Octub...es-espana.html

But to be honest I think UK city parks have a very clear lead, possibly down to the climate. There are loads in London (Holland Park, Hampstead Heath, Richmond Park etc) that are way out in front, never mind the likes of Regent's Park, St James Park etc. But for me the two best city parks in England are in Nottingham - Wollaton Park and the Arboretum. I've obviously not been to every city so I'm sure there are other contenders... I do have a soft spot for the diverted riverbed park in Valencia, simply because it provides such a great open long green space next to the city centre. Certain parts do seem a little dodgy though when certain Latin American groups congregate, but perhaps that's just me making assumptions

jackytoo

Not really a park but La concepción just outside Málaga has beautiful gardens. Marbella has two nice, but small parks with many mature trees.

http://www.malagaturismo.com/opencms...50&id_idioma=2

Think the UK has lots of parks because the Victorians were into them in a big way. The grounds of Hever Castle in the UK are nice, almost a park. Boating lake, kids area etc. I do like Richmond park.

Zaragozaram

Parque Grande or Parque Del Agua in Zaragoza

SaritaBarcelona

Parque la Bateria in Torremolinos and Parque de la Paloma in Benalmadena (not cities as such but...) are both fantastic, particularly if you have children (great play areas, variety of vegetation, water features, and even loads of tame birds and animals in the latter). I have lived in both Madrid and Barcelona and love the Retiro and Ciutadella parks there, but neither can beat these two Costa parks for my family! (Incidentally, play areas in Barcelona parks tend to little more than dustbowls, they haven't woken up to rubberised play flooring yet!) Parque de la Paloma has great three great (and not overpriced) cafes too, and the library alongside it is just the best ever.

jdr

What about the gates ?

Peter James

I've driven into Richmond Park (London) and had to drive out again many times because there is just nowhere to park the car. They have even put spikes all along the roadsides now to prevent us stopping there. Only in England could you have such a vast empty space and be prevented from stopping anywhere. Wasted asset when so many people are effectively denied the use of it

steviedeluxe

I normally like to praise London, but yes, parking is a very big problem (and normally very, very expensive).

jackytoo

I think Parque de Paloma is nice but the entrance is unbelievably naff